Courses Courses

Building Models: Artist, Art (and History) in the Framework of Theory and Criticism

Course No. ACD370.1 Credits: 3.0

Why should an artist be interested in art criticism and theory? Maybe, because critical and theoretical speculation offers the artists (and their audiences) insight into the complex and roles art plays in our society. Consequently, this course focuses on the evolving discourse network of criticism and theory that has given rise to the dominant critical models used to address modern and contemporary art as these respond to cultural, political, social and technological change. Through discussion, presentation and papers students will learn to apply these critical models to their own work and experiences. Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.

This course will focus on the current techniques for visualizing and illustrating the cellular structure and molecules that make up living organisms: phospholipid bilayers, chemical exchange, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, etc. The ability to accurately represent cellular and molecular structures has become critical with recent advances in microbiology, biotechnology, genetics, and pharmacology. You will learn how to locate 3D molecular model files on the Internet and manipulate these models on the computer. Working from conceptual drawings, you will use these files to render (and possibly animate) molecules in 2D using Photoshop and/or Illustrator and in 3D using a modeling application (such as 3D Studio Max).

This course will cover the history of censorship in America. We will begin with the language of the First Amendment. We will then study the evolution of the definition of obscenity starting with the Comstack Laws and moving through the current Supreme Court test for determining whether an expression is obscene. We will look at the laws surrounding child pornography as well as hate speech and art that incite violence. For each of these categories of expression, we will discuss anecdotal applications of the First Amendment using artists such as Mapplethorpe, Serrano, Ligon, Zimmerman, Scott, Diana and Finley. While the primary focus of the class will be on government action, we will also look at examples of self censorship by the entertainment industry and public galleries. Finally, we will finish with an overview of the Patriot Act, its current applications and its implications for our future freedom of expression. The question underlying all of the historical context, anecdotal applications and the current law is why do we censor? Are there ever legitimate justifications for censorship and if so, how do we, as a society, draw those lines? In addressing these issues, we will study in depth the feminist anti-pornography movement, excerpts from Susan Sontag's On Photography, and the outcry over music lyrics post Columbine.

This course will investigate the historical and contemporary forms of the ceramic vessel/pot. The dual nature of works that function, as receptacles for meaning and narrative as well as domestic work for the table or presentation will be researched. Construction techniques to be covered will include hand building and the potterŐs wheel along with a variety of surface treatments and firing methods.
Open to all. 3 credits.

This course will investigate the historical and contemporary forms of the ceramic vessel/pot. The dual nature of works that function, as receptacles for meaning and narrative as well as domestic work for the table or presentation will be researched. Construction techniques to be covered will include hand building and the potterŐs wheel along with a variety of surface treatments and firing methods.
Open to all. 3 credits.

This course will explore basic and advanced hand-building techniques to explore individual investigation of clay for personal ideation and concepts. We will make glazes, fire kilns and explore ceramic history. We will cover all types of work from utility to sculpture and its relationship to site and place. The class will research and test various ceramic materials, clay bodies and surface treatments. Open to all.

This course will explore basic and advanced hand-building techniques to explore individual investigation of clay for personal ideation and concepts. We will make glazes, fire kilns and explore ceramic history. We will cover all types of work from utility to sculpture and its relationship to site and place. The class will research and test various ceramic materials, clay bodies and surface treatments.
Open to all. 3 credits.

This course will explore basic and advanced hand-building techniques to explore individual investigation of clay for personal ideation and concepts. We will make glazes, fire kilns and explore ceramic history. We will cover all types of work from utility to sculpture and its relationship to site and place. The class will research and test various ceramic materials, clay bodies and surface treatments.
Open to all. 3 credits.